## Handbell Ringers of Great Britain
# Registered Charity Numbers 298945 (England and Wales) and SC038918 (Scotland)
Report and Consolidated Financial Statements Year ended 31st December 2024
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ Report|3 - 9|
|Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities|10|
|Group Statement of Financial Activities|11|
|for the year ended 31 December 2023||
|Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023|12|
|Notes forming part of the financial statements|13 – 25|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|26|
Page **2** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
# **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
## National Chair
Mr Keith Rowland 50 Star Lane Ash Aldershot GU12 6RH
Telephone: 07912 352634 Email: keith@acorncottage.org.uk
## National Secretary
Judy Gees
## Independent Examiner
Robert Whowell & Partners LLP (Resigned 22/06/2024) Mark J Rees LLP (Appointed 22/06/2024)
## National Website
www.hrgb.org.uk & www.handbells.org.uk
## Principal Bankers
CAF Bank Limited West Malling Kent, ME19 4JQ
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
# _Charity Trustees_
## **National Officers**
Mr Keith Rowland – Chair Mrs Judy Gees – Secretary ** Elected 06/04/2024 Mr Anthony Hayes - Treasurer Mrs Diane Holt - Membership Secretary
## **Executive Committee**
_Patron, WHMF_
Dr Alan Hartley
_North East Region (NE)_
Mr Anthony John Atkinson Mrs Sheila Christine Lazenby _Scotland Region (SC)_ Mr John Elcock * Retired 15/03/2025 Ms Laura Buist * Retired 16/03/2024 Mrs Samantha Payne * Elected 16/03/2024 _East Midlands Region (EM)_ Mrs Judy Gees ** Elected 23/03/2024, Mr Michael Johnson
Elected 23/03/2024, Retired 22/03/2025
_North West Region (NW)_
Miss Elizabeth McCord Ms Kate Worthington _East Anglia Region (EA)_ Mrs Linda McCord Mr John Thompson _West Midlands Region (WM)_ Mr David Hampson Mr Richard Hartnell _South East Region (SE)_ Mrs Gay Cooper Mr Alan Cooper Miss Helen Secker Mr Martin Winter
Elected 02/03/2024
Resigned 27/01/2024 Resigned 27/01/2024 Elected 17/03/2024 Elected 02/03/2024
_South West Region (SW)_
Mrs Veronica Jane Willis BEM Mr Edwin John Willis BEM
## * resident in Scotland
** position held as an elected officer and regional representative
Page **4** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
The Trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Objectives and activities**
Handbell Ringers of Great Britain (HRGB) is a Registered Charity and an unincorporated Society founded in 1967 and is the major organisation in the United Kingdom dedicated to the promotion of handbell tune ringing. It is governed by its rules which were last amended on 17th April 2010. The Trustees are pleased to report that for the year ending 31st December 2024 the Society remained financially sound, assisted by a financial rebate under the Gift Aid Scheme and prudent control of expenditure. The Trustees, mindful of the fact that the level of the Gift Aid rebate reduced in 2012 and the increased costs of running the organisation, last proposed an increase in the annual membership fees from 1st January 2013, which was agreed at the AGM in 2012.
The Charity continues to work in line with its objective: ‘To advance, provide and encourage for the public benefit, the art of handbell tune ringing in all its forms.’ Conformity with this objective is achieved across the country, including Scotland, through workshops, residential courses, concerts and handbell rallies organised by members for the benefit of members and the general public.
HRGB Promotions Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (company number 2128737) and a Registered Charity (number 800808). The company is controlled by two Directors who by virtue of its Articles of Association would normally be the four Officer roles of HRGB. Accordingly, the company is deemed to be a subsidiary of the Society within the context of Financial Reporting Standard and its results have been consolidated into the Charity’s accounts. The subsidiary’s aims and objectives are: ‘To promote, encourage and educate the general public in the ancient art of handbell tune ringing.’ In particular the company manages the finances relating to the attendance of UK ringers at International Handbell Symposia which are held every two years.
## _**Public benefit**_
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and Performance**
2024 has been another year of consolidation. Groups throughout the UK continue to restart their music programmes. There has been a growing number of national and regional events, increasing in number as the year has progressed. Most handbell groups have returned to their pre-Covid practice and concert arrangements, although, sadly, the ageing membership has been affected by the pandemic.
The Society ’ s membership numbers are lower than in 2023, and recruiting new members remains a priority, so the Society can maintain its programme of activities.
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **TRUSTEES ’ REPORT (…continued)**
The Society continues to expand the use of video-conferencing technology to run both national and regional committee meetings and webinars. This process continues to help us recruit and maintain local and national committee members. The National Executive Committee has worked hard to reduce the length of the board meetings with shorter meetings and no travel time. Committee members do not have to travel long distances from around the country to one location, with a reduction in our carbon footprint and our expense payments. This new initiative means members who live long distances from the venues for events can still engage with other members and develop their knowledge and skills. It will be important to continue to develop this use of technology to enable, for example, the live streaming of concerts, so that more members of the public have access to handbell events and are thereby encouraged to attend a live event.
The Charity’s main events during 2024 include:-
- The National Rally (annual national ringing weekend) organised by the North West region, was well-attended and much enjoyed by the participants.
- The Team Leaders’ / Musical Directors’ Seminar Weekend (biennial event established in 2018 whose aim is to raise the standard of conducting and level of skills and knowledge about team leadership) was resurrected in 2024.
- UK Bronze (a biennial event for advanced ringers) attracted 68 delegates this year from UK, USA, Canada, France and Iceland. For the first time, the event venue was the Holiday Inn Hotel in Farnborough, and proved to be an excellent venue. The concert was held in the nearby North Camp Methodist Church. Fred Gramann is the permanent director.
- Members continue to be reluctant to undertake lengthy journeys to attend rallies and other events, so regional committees plan smaller, more frequent events to reduce travel time especially in inclement times of the year.
- A subgroup of the National Executive Committee has successfully undertaken a new selection process to identify a new venue for the International Handbell Symposium to be hosted in Britain in 2026.The original site (a new build) will not be available in time.
- Broxbourne Handbell Ringers took part in a public Christmas Carol Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in December 2024.
- The HRGB Archivist continues to expand the use of this facility with the Archivist at Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield, and this facility is fully operational, making it accessible to the public. An Open day was held displaying some of the more important memorabilia held there.
- Trustees have approved minor changes to the HRGB Rules designed to increase the amounts given to the regions to facilitate their activities that will commence (subject to AGM approval) from 1[st] January 2025.
- We continue to receive requests for teams to play, the number of requests to entertain members of the general public has increased again, especially over the Christmas period.
- The mutually supportive link with Northumbria University – the first University in the UK to establish a handbell group – continues to provide a template for the future. Several universities in other countries – for example, the USA and Japan – have handbell ringing as part of their curriculum, so many music teachers leaving these universities are knowledgeable and skilled in the art of handbell ringing. This important work continued in 2024 and we hope to find new opportunities in other UK universities.
- Bell orchestras are now widely back in action. These events provide an excellent opportunity for ringers to play more advanced music with larger sets of instruments than usually played in smaller local groups.
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **TRUSTEES ’ REPORT (…continued)**
## William Hartley Memorial Fund
The WHMF continues to support new handbell teams across the UK by leasing handbells as teams start up and by offering loans for the purchase of instruments. More than half the bells owned by the WHMF are on lease for use in schools for the benefit of younger ringers, many with no other musical experience. The WHMF provides handbells to support some of the regional handbell teams as their performances are a musical showcase of handbell tune ringing to the wider public. Also for the benefit of HRGB members, instruments are made available for nationally organised events. The Society currently has one outstanding loan for financial assistance.
## Vaughan Evans Bursary
The Bursary created by the Trustees for the support of young ringers to attend advanced ringing events was not utilised during 2024, however the fund will look to further support at least two young people at the next National Residential Ringing Week in 2025. The Trustees agreed no contribution was required in 2024 to the maintenance of the Bursary fund but would need to be considered in 2025 to ensure the fund contained adequate funds for the future events.
## **Financial and Risk Review**
The group statement of financial activities for the year ending 31[st] December 2024 shows a net excess of income over expenditure of £76,544.
The principal source of income of the Charity was from donations and membership subscriptions, together with a tax refund from H.M. Revenue and Customs Gift Aid Scheme.
Sales income increased in comparison to last year, with continued support being made by attendance at the National Rally and a heavily discounted promotion on some aging Mayola Music. The cost of sales has decreased, primarily due to the release of the stock provision held for said Mayola Music. The provision against stock remains at what the Charity sees as a sensible prudent take on the stock provision. Further increases in the price of products purchased and additional increases in postage have reduced margins on sales in the year, something that is reviewed continually by the Sales Manager.
The source of the subsidiary company’s income during 2024 was only from bank interest. Expenditure resulted from contributions for three members of HRGB to attend the International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan, plus normal governance costs. The deposit for the 2026 International Handbell Symposium was paid in 2023 but can be deferred until 2026 to be offset against event income.
The Trustees have considered whether any major risks pertain to the subsidiary company and have concluded there are none. Further, the Trustees consider that there are systems in place to manage risks relating to the company.
Group investments increased in value during the year by £1,870 compared with an increase of £6,037 the previous year. We accept that market conditions may still carry some uncertainty in 2025 due to circumstances out of the Charity’s control and so will monitor accordingly.
Page **7** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **TRUSTEES ’ REPORT (…continued)**
The William Hartley Memorial Fund continues to provide interest free loans to members and registered teams to enable them to purchase additional bells, refurbish bells etc. During the year the WHMF generated funds from donations and bank interest. The Crescendo Scheme was relaunched in 2015 as a free scheme designed for new, young ringers which is staged to maintain enthusiasm and progression with four progressive certificates that can be won plus additional lapel badges (for a small charge).
A significant item of expenditure is the cost of publishing “Reverberations” the Charity’s six-monthly journal which is an important source of communication with the members. Some of the cost is recovered through suppliers’ advertisements published in the magazine. After allowing for advertisement income, the net cost of the journal went up from £11,775 to £11,923. This increase has come about from a 16% decrease of the advertising income year on year. Publishing / distribution costs remained consistent with only a £39 variance
Regional newsletters continue to provide regions with news of local events and the cost of producing these (less advertising income) went down from £3,119 to £2,834. Regions continue to move onto digital platforms to send their news, but rising costs (primarily around Royal Mail) have offset this.
General Administration expenditure decreased during the year after the spend on website development wasn’t needed to be continued to the level of 2023. We are continuing NEC meetings via Zoom and the licence held by HRGB have continued to be made available for national webinars and regional activities. Regions that have purchased their own licences continue to benefit with their use within their region.
We continue to accept that inflation is increasing the other costs within the Charity and that this is something that we must continue to monitor.
Funds above and beyond those required for the day to day business of the Charity are placed in high interest accounts to maximise investment income. Financially, the Trustees consider that the Charity is in a strong position as a going concern.
## **Policy on Reserves**
It is considered that the level of reserves held by the Charity and its subsidiary company is reasonable based upon the projections of the level of funding required for the UK preparation and hosting the next International Handbell Symposium. Additions to the countries that make up the IHC (International Handbell Committee) meant that an increase to the rotating countries hosting an International Symposium may have pushed the UK back to 2028, however Handbell Ringers of Singapore said they would prefer to host in 2028, thus keeping the UK with 2026. This will be 14 years after the last UK held Symposium due to the addition of a Symposium in Hong Kong being added into the rotation in 2020.
The Charity has also continued its policy of maintaining reserves at a level sufficient to cover the costs associated with the organisation of National Rallies in three consecutive years.
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **TRUSTEES ’ REPORT (…continued)**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Charity is governed by a National Executive Committee consisting of four elected officers, a patron for the William Hartley Memorial Fund (WHMF) and (up to) two representatives elected from each of eight branches. The Executive Committee is responsible for the prudent management of the Society and determination of policy in line with Governmental and Charity law. Day to day administration of the Society is carried out by the elected Officers. In 2024 the Society elected a permanent replacement Secretary following the retirement of the then Secretary in 2022. All members of the National Executive Committee are Trustees of the Charity. The Charity operates a branch in Scotland and in order to comply with legislation from the Scottish Parliament it was necessary for the Society to register as a Charity in Scotland with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) during 2007.
The Trustees are mindful of, and grateful for, the time and energy given by members of the Society who organise events, lead and serve on sub-committees and regional committees, carry out specific tasks (for example, editing, managing resources) and generally undertake a wide range of tasks to ensure that the organisation of the Charity and its charitable purpose are accomplished successfully.
Trustee Induction and Training: Induction for new Trustees includes the provision of the relevant guidance notes, reports and accounts (Charity Commission and OSCR guidance notes on the responsibility of Trustees, the Society Rules and a copy of the most recent Trustees’ report which includes the most recent accounts for the Society) and a dedicated induction meeting which provides an opportunity to question and discuss these with officers, together with the regular Executive Committee Meetings which provide updates on aspects of Governmental and Charity law that may affect Society governance and management.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission under section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 regarding public benefit.
The annual report was approved by the Trustees of the Charity on 28/06/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr K. A. Rowland Chair 28/06/2025
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES**
Laws applicable to charities in England, Wales and Scotland require the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and other associated and relevant legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees of the Charity on 28/06/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr K. A. Rowland Chair 28/06/2025
Page **10** of **26**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN**
## **GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024 ***
|Note
no
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations, legacies and subscriptions
4
Charitable activities
5
Investments
6
**Total Income and endowments:**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
7
Other
8
**Total Expenditure:**
**Net gains / (losses) on investments**
9
**Net gains / (losses) on disposals of fixed**
**assets**
10
**Net income / (expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Other recognised gains / (losses):**
Gains / (losses) on revaluation of fixed assets
11
**Net movement in funds:**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
**Total funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**
12|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
funds|Endowment
funds|Total
funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||All
£
82,227
126,614
13,944|William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund
£
708
486
586|£
-
-
-||
||**222,785**
144,373
4,206|**1,780**
1,310
2|**-**
-
-||
||**148,579**
**1,870**
**-**|**1,312**
**-**
**-**|**-**
**-**
**-**||
||**76,076**|**468**|**-**||
||-
5,713|-
-|-
-||
||**81,789**|**468**|**-**|**82,257**|
||455,066|15,318|121,301||
||**536,855**|**15,786**|**121,301**|**673,942**|
_* Included within the Group Statement of Financial Activities is the income and expenditure relating to the subsidiary HRGB Promotions Limited (see Note 3)._
Page **11** of **26**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|Note
**Fixed Assets:**
Tangible Fixed Assets
11
Investments
9
**Total Fixed Assets**
**Current Assets:**
Stock
13
Debtors & Prepayments
14
Cash at bank, COIF and in hand
**Total Current Assets**
**Current Liabilities:**
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
15
**Total Current Liabilities**
**Net Current Assets:**
**Total Assets less Current Liabilities**
**Creditors: Amounts falling after one year**
-
**TOTAL NET ASSETS:**
**The funds of the Charity:**
**Endowment:**
**Restricted:**
_William Hartley Memorial Fund_
**TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS**
**Unrestricted:**
_General_
Designated:
_Vaughan Evans Memorial Fund_
_Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund_
_National Events Fund_
_South West Regional Bell Fund_
_South West Young Ringer Fund_
_South East Ring from Scratch_
**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
**Revaluation Reserve:**
_Unrestricted: General_
_Endowment_
**TOTAL RESERVES**
**TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS**
12|Group|_Group_|Charity|_Charity_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||2024
293,320
69,753|_2023_
_238,886_
_67,883_|2024
293,320
69,753|_2023_
_238,886_
_67,883_|
||**363,073**|**_306,769_**|**363,073**|**_306,769_**|
||5,867
18,522
326,585|_8,018_
_24,369_
_292,567_|5,867
10,259
323,922|_8,018_
_16,189_
_282,934_|
||**350,974**|**_324,954_**|**340,048**|**_307,141_**|
||(40,105)|_(40,038)_|(39,522)|_(39,163)_|
||**(40,105)**|**_(40,038)_**|**(39,522)**|**_(39,163)_**|
||||||
||**310,869**|**_284,916_**|**300,526**|**_267,978_**|
||||||
||**673,942**|**_591,685_**|**663,599**|**_574,747_**|
||||||
||**-**|**_-_**|**-**|**_-_**|
||||||
||**673,942**|**_591,685_**|**663,599**|**_574,747_**|
||||||
||**93,627**|**_93,627_**|**93,627**|**_93,627_**|
||15,786|_15,318_|15,786|_15,318_|
||**15,786**|**_15,318_**|**15,786**|**_15,318_**|
||464,850
10,087
2,111
42,567
731
2,354
426|_400,355_
_9,375_
_-_
_33,174_
_1,438_
_2,329_
_426_|454,507
10,087
2,111
42,567
731
2,354
426|_383,417_
_9,375_
_-_
_33,174_
_1,438_
_2,329_
_426_|
||**523,126**|**_447,097_**|**512,783**|**_430,159_**|
||13,729
27,674|_7,969_
_27,674_|13,729
27,674|_7,969_
_27,674_|
||**41,403**|**_35,643_**|**41,403**|**_35,643_**|
||||||
||**673,942**|**_591,685_**|**663,599**|**_574,747_**|
Page **12** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28/06/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr A. P. Hayes National Treasurer 28/06/2025
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **Basis of preparation**
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The presentation currency is pound sterling.
The consolidated financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiary undertaking drawn up to 31 December 2023.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Charity. Control is achieved where the Charity has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
Inter-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between the Charity and its subsidiary, which are related parties, are eliminated in full.
Intra-group losses are also eliminated but may indicate an impairment that requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements.
Accounting policies of the subsidiary have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the group.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
The Charity adopted Bulletin 1 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **Going concern**
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Income**
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Donations of bells / equipment will be recorded at the recoverable amount of the item(s) at the time of transfer of ownership, to be completed by a qualified individual either within the society or an expert in their field. This will be specified within note 4.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
## Support costs
SORP 2019 requires support costs such as administration, postage, telephone, depreciation etc. to be allocated to the relevant activity cost category they support. The Trustees do not consider it cost beneficial to set up systems to allocate such costs and accordingly have shown such support costs separately under charitable activities.
## Governance costs
These costs are associated with the governance arrangements of the Charity which relate to its general running and statutory obligations. These include the costs of holding Trustees’ meetings, bank charges incurred from our current account holders, transaction and service charges from our card processors and accountancy fees.
## **Taxation**
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Assets with a cost (or donated value) of £1,000 or more are capitalised.
Musical handbells and similar assets such as Handchimes and Belleplates[®] are valued at recoverable amount at the balance sheet date. Such valuation is carried out by the Officers of the relevant branch or National Officers who have the necessary expertise to determine such valuations. Any gain or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
All other assets are recorded at historical cost less depreciation on a straight line basis so as to write off the assets over their expected useful lives. The principal rates are: Office Equipment - 3 years, Plant and Machinery - 4 years. Currently the Charity has no office equipment or plant and machinery which is capitalised.
The Trustees are aware that there is a requirement to show the reserve arising from the revaluation of fixed assets over the years on the face of the balance sheet. This evaluation of the assets was carried out in 2016 to reflect the revaluation reserve and is reviewed each year.
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**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **Fixed asset investments**
The fixed asset investments are income units that have been purchased by the Charity from the COIF Charities Investment Fund. The investment aims to provide a long-term total return comprising growth in capital and distributions in quarterly dividends. These investments are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
An explanation of the movement in the year is given at note 9
## **Stock**
Stock consists of goods for resale and is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
A breakdown of the different stock types held and related provisions is detailed in note 13
## **Debtors**
Debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of this is established when there is objective evidence that they will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the debtors.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Creditors**
Creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of activities from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page **15** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects. Designated funds have been created for the following purposes:
## Vaughan Evans Memorial Fund
This fund has been set up in memory of Vaughan Evans a former National Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Honorary Life Member of the Charity. Its purpose is to provide funding to enable young ringers to be able to participate in events such as the National Residential Ringing Week. The Trustees intend to transfer an amount to this fund from general funds each year subject to availability and requirement.
## National Events Fund
This was a newly created fund in 2010 with a transfer from general funds of £7,000 representing the surplus on National Events during the previous four years. The Trustees intend that the fund will be used to provide some finance for certain national events which would otherwise not be financially viable to undertake based on delegate income alone.
## Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund
After an initial donation of £2,000 from the will of the late Nick Ottmann in May 2023 it was suggested by the South East Region that Nick’s bequest to the society be used to set up a bursary fund. The fund to be used to support ringers with any form of ‘additional need’ to attend any HRGB national event or international symposium. This was agreed at by the NEC in June 2024 and the Trustees intend to transfer an amount to this fund from general funds each year subject to availability and requirement.
## South West Regional Bell Fund
This fund is used by the South West branch for the maintenance of its regional handbells.
## South West Young Ringer Fund
This fund has been created by the South West branch in 2010 to support young ringers from the South West attending National events.
## South East Ring from Scratch Fund
This fund is used by the South East branch to purchase music for 'Ring from Scratch' rallies, where member teams ring from previously unseen music.
Restricted funds comprise of funds raised for and their use restricted to a specific purpose or donations subject to imposed donor conditions.
## William Hartley Memorial Fund (WHMF)
This fund exists principally to provide teams registered with the society with interest free loans for the purpose of renovating or augmenting their handbells, Handchimes and Belleplates® and to maintain and repair as necessary the handbells etc. which are held by the WHMF.
Endowment Funds comprise funds consisting of fixed assets (principally handbells) which have been left as bequests to the Charity over a number of years. Some of these Endowments are permanent.
Page **16** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **2 Trustee information**
Trustees received no remuneration (2023 - £Nil). Expenses of £3,057 were reimbursed by the Charity to 10 of the 23 Trustees covering travelling, telephone and similar costs (2023 - £2,873, 14 of the 23 Trustees). In addition, £1,994 of expenses were reimbursed by HRGB Promotions Ltd to Charity Trustees (2023 - Nil).
The Charity did not employ any staff during 2024 (2023 – Nil).
## **3 Consolidation**
The Charity Balance Sheet comprises the national society and its 8 branches. The Group Balance Sheet and Group Statement of Financial Activities comprise the national society, its 8 branches and HRGB Promotions Limited, the Charity’s subsidiary company. The company’s accounts for 2024 were prepared under SORP 2019. Summary results of HRGB Promotions Limited for the year ended 31 December:
|Turnover
Less: outgoing resources
Net outgoing resources|2024
£
_2023_
_£_
177
_402_
(6,772)
_(1,204)_|
|---|---|
||(6,595)
_(622)_|
## **4 Donations, legacies and subscriptions**
|Donations
Membership subscriptions
Gift Aid Taxation
**Total**
Donations comprise of:|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
fund –
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Total funds
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
||58,754
21,770
1,703|708
-
-||
||**82,227**|**708**|**82,935**|
|||||
|William Hartley Memorial Fund
Vaughan Evans Memorial Fund
Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund *
General **
Bells / Equipment ***
TOTAL|2024
_2023_
£
_£_
708
_1,373_
196
_162_
2,019
_-_
8,369
_1,636_
48,170
_8,550_|
|---|---|
||59,462
_11,721_|
Page **17** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
***** Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund includes a starting donation from the will of the late Nick Ottmann (£2,000)
****** General Donations include:
- 2024: SE Region: Donated set of bells in the year from “Pilgrim Handbell Ringers” sold in the year (£4,950) plus an additional £909 in cash
- EM Region: Donated bells in the year from the late Tegwen Manton sold in the year (£900)
******* Donations of Bells / Equipment consist of:
- 2023: SC Region: “Birnam Bells” (£8,000)[(a)]
- SW Region: ‘Anonymous’ Bells (£550)[(b) ]
- 2024: EA Region: “Richards Bells (£3,200)[(c)]
- EM Region: “Manton Bells” (Multiple Sets) (£32,970)[(d)] NW Region: “NW Region 2024 Bells” (£3,000)[(e)] WM Region: “Kington Bells” (£9,000)[(f)]
- (a) – Valuation by Laura Buist (HRGB)
- (b) – Valuation by Jane Willis (HRGB)
- (c) – Valuation by Phil Day (HRGB)
- (d) – Valuation by Michael Johnson (HRGB)
- (e) – Valuation by Irene Merson (HRGB)
- (f) – Valuation by Richard Hartnell (HRGB)
## **5 Income on Charitable Activities**
|Sales Income
National Rally 2023
National Rally 2024
National Residential Ringing Week 2023
UK Bronze 2024
Rallies & Events
Regional Ensembles and Orchestra
Festivals
Crescendo Scheme
Bell loan fee
Raffles
Advertising
Miscellaneous
**Total**|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
fund –
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Total funds
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
||16,076
-
44,454
-
38,275
20,314
5,489
818
-
75
72
962
79|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
77
-
409
-
-||
||**126,614**|**486**|**127,100**|
Page **18** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **6 Investments**
|Interest from bank and other deposits
**Total**|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
fund –
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Total funds
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
||13,944|586||
||**13,944**|**586**|**14,530**|
## **7 Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
|Cost of Goods Sold and other Sales Costs
National Rally 2023
National Rally 2024
National Residential Ringing Week 2023
UK Bronze 2024
International Symposium 2024
International Symposium 2026 (UK)
Rallies & Events
Regional Ensembles and Orchestra
Crescendo Scheme
Equipment and repairs
Reverberations
Regional Newsletters
International Handbell Committee
Insurance
Society Membership fees
Donations
General Admin (stationery, postage etc.)
Rent
Miscellaneous
**Total**|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
fund –
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Total funds
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
||8,581
-
40,714
-
33,857
6,123
509
19,881
4,793
-
1,444
12,885
2,834
83
2,085
496
833
8,788
264
203|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
459
-
-
-
842
-
-
-
-
-||
||**144,373**|**1,310**|**145,683**|
Page **19** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **8 Other Expenditure**
|Bank charges
Accounting fees
**Total**|Unrestricted
funds|Restricted
fund –
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Total funds
2023|
|---|---|---|---|
||**4,206**|**2**|**4,208**|
Accounting fees comprise of:
|Group (2024)|Group (2023)|Charity (2024)|Charity (2023)|
|---|---|---|---|
|£|£|£|£|
|2,280|4,025|3,150|1,710|
These fees relate to work carried out by independent accountants in providing the Charity with advice regarding value added tax and completing examinations of accounts.
## **9 Investments**
|**Investments**||
|---|---|
|Market value as at 1stJanuary:
Additions / (sales):
Gain / (loss) during year:
Market value as at 31stDecember:|Group
2024
£
_Group_
_2023_
_£_
Charity
2024
£
_Charity_
_2023_
_£_
67,883
_61,846_
67,883
_61,846_
-
_-_
-
_-_
1,870
_6,037_
1,870
_6,037_|
||69,753
_67,883_
69,753
_67,883_|
## **10 Disposal of Fixed Assets**
During the year no assets were disposed _(2023 £2,000)_
Page **20** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **11 Tangible Fixed Assets (Group and Charity)**
||All figures
£’s|Handbells
Chimes etc.
available for
loan to teams
as part of the
William
Hartley
Memorial
Fund|Liversedge
Handbells|Handbells
Chimes,
Cases etc.
for general
use by
regions|Handbells as
part of the
“Bells Into
Schools”
Project
(2016)|Total||_2023_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Book value
01/01/2024|94,200|27,101|99,117|18,468|238,886||_230,508_|
||Additions|-|-|48,721|-|48,721||_8,550_|
||Disposals|-|-|-|-|-||_(2,000)_|
||Depreciation|-|-|-|-|-||_-_|
||Transfers|-|-|-|-|-||_-_|
||Increase
(Decrease) in
valuation|-|-|673|5,040|5,713||_1,828_|
||Book value
31/12/2024|94,200|27,101|148,511|23,508|293,320||_238,886_|
Page **21** of **26**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **12 Summary of funds**
## Movement of funds (Group)
|Fund Name|Balances
Brought
Forward
£
01/01/2024|Incoming
Resources
£|Outgoing
Resources
£|Transfers
£|Gains and
Losses
£|Balances
Carried
Forward
£
31/12/2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Unrestricted Funds**|||||||
|General|408,324|134,851|(71,928)|(250)|7,583|478,580|
|Designated - National Society
_Vaughan Evans Memorial Fund_|9,375|712|-|-|-|10,087|
|Designated - National Society
_Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund_|N/A|2,111|-|-|-|2,111|
|Designated – National Society
_National Events Fund_|33,174|85,036|(75,643)|-|-|42,567|
|Designated - South West Branch
_South West Regional Bell Fund_|1,438|50|(1,008)|250|-|730|
|Designated - South West Branch
_Young Ringer Fund_|2,329|25|-|-|-|2,354|
|Designated - South East Branch
_Ring from Scratch_|426|-|-|-|-|426|
|**Total Unrestricted Funds**|455,066|222,785|(148,579)|-|7,583|536,855|
|**Restricted Funds**|||||||
|William Hartley Memorial Fund|15,318|1,780|(1,312)|-|-|15,786|
|**Total Restricted Funds**|15,318|1,780|(1,312)|-|-|15,786|
|**Endowment Funds**|121,301|-|-|-|-|121,301|
|**Total Funds**|591,685|224,565|(149,891)|-|7,583|673,942|
Page **22** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **12 Summary of funds (continued)** Analysis of unrestricted funds by national society, branches and subsidiary company as at 31[st] December:
|National Society
South East
South West
North East
North West
East Midlands
West Midlands
East Anglian
Scottish
Total Charity
HRGB Promotions Ltd
Total Group|2024
_2023_
£
_£_
298,615
_267,270_
38,715
_32,054_
45,583
_44,569_
15,999
_15,415_
8,708
_5,499_
36,935
_4,154_
21,979
_13,021_
43,473
_40,491_
16,505
_15,655_|
|---|---|
||526,512
_438,128_
10,343
_16,938_|
||536,855
_455,066_|
Within the “Unrestricted fund” balances above are the following “Designated” funds:
|Branch
Designation
National Society
Vaughan Evans Memorial Fund
National Society
Nick Ottmann Memorial Fund
National Society
National Events Fund
South West
South West Regional Bell Fund
South West
Young Ringer Fund
South East
Ring from Scratch
Total
ent funds” comprise:
Fixed Assets
Bells, chimes etc. held for loan to registered HRGB teams
Liversedge handbells||2024
£
10,087
2,111
42,567
731
2,354
426|_2023_
_£_
_9,375_
_N/A_
_33,174_
_1,438_
_2,329_
_426_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||58,276|_46,742_|
|||2024
£
94,200
27,101|_2023_
_£_
_94,200_
_27,101_|
||121,301
_121,301_|||
## “Endowment funds” comprise:
_An explanation of these funds is given at note 1._
Page **23** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **13 Stocks**
|**3**
**Stocks**|||
|---|---|---|
|National: Resale Stock*
National: Mayola Music*
Regional: Resale Stock**
Total|Cost
2024
£
Provision
2024
£
_Provision_
_% of value_
3,373
(1,441)
_43%_
4,848
(2,546)
_53%_
1,920
(287)
_15%_|Cost
2023
£
Provision
2023
£
_Provision_
_% of value_
5,111
(1,763)
_34%_
10,458
(8,143)
_78%_
2,729
(374)
_14%_|
||5,867
_42%_|8,018
_56%_|
*National stocks carry a specific provision based on age of stock, risk of slow / non-movement.
**Regional stock (unless accounted for at regional level) is a general 20% provision value of stock held within the national provision.
No stocks are held within HRGB Promotions Ltd.
## **14 Debtors and Prepayments**
|**4**
**Debtors and Prepayments**||
|---|---|
|Trade Debtors
Other Debtors
Prepayments and Accrued income
WHMF Loans***
Total|Group
2024
£
_Group_
_2023_
_£_
Charity
2024
£
_Charity_
_2023_
_£_
673
_1,022_
673
_1,022_
-
_922_
-
_922_
16,349
_18,825_
8,086
_10,645_
1,500
_3,600_
1,500
_3,600_|
||18,522
_24,369_
10,259
_16,189_|
***Included in the WHMF loans are instalments totalling £750 _(2023 - £2,000)_ which are not due within one year.
## **15 Creditors (amounts falling due within one year)**
|Trade Creditors
Other Creditors
Accruals and Deferred income
Total|Group
2024
£
_Group_
_2023_
_£_
Charity
2024
£
_Charity_
_2023_
_£_
2,576
_9,095_
1,993
_8,220_
33,679
_27,703_
33,679
_27,703_
3,850
_3,240_
3,850
_3,240_|
|---|---|
||40,105
_40,038_
39,522
_39,163_|
Page **24** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (…continued)**
## **16 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total net assets|Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
172,019
-
121,301 293,320
69,753
-
-
69,753
335,188
15,786
- 350,974
(40,105)
-
- (40,105)
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||536,855
15,786
121,301 673,942|
## **17 Capital and Financial Commitments**
At 31[st] December 2024 there were no potential financial commitments other than those relating to a contract between HRGB Promotions Limited and “ASM Global” in respect of the 22[nd] International Handbell Symposium to be held in 2026. This commitment cannot be quantified at this stage _(2023: Not Quantified)_
## **18 Taxation**
The Charity is a Registered Charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
Page **25** of **26**
**HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS 298945 (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND SC038918 (SCOTLAND)**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HANDBELL RINGERS OF GREAT BRITAIN**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 11 to 25.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity's members. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Mr A Turner FCA FMAAT Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester LE1 7RU
16 June 2025
Page **26** of **26**